After four weeks, 64 matches and 171 goals, World Cup 2014 has finally drawn to a thrilling close with Germany's dramatic triumph over Argentina in Rio de Janeiro.

With so many gripping encounters, stellar solo performances and moments of madness over the past month, selecting the recipients of our World Cup awards has been as arduous as 120 minutes of Manaus humidity, but after much deliberation, Goal presents the winners...

BEST PLAYER: ARJEN ROBBEN

Arjen Robben of the Netherlands celebrates after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil 3rd Place Playoff match between Brazil and Netherlands at Estadio Nacional on July 12, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

Lionel Messi scooped the Fifa Golden Ball, James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot and Manuel Neuer was the standout goalkeeper, but we have opted to name Arjen Robben as the World Cup's best player.

The Bayern Munich star was deployed in an unorthodox central position as Louis van Gaal shifted to his 5-3-2 system, but the 30-year-old revelled in the role. He tore Spain to pieces in Netherlands' opener, scored his third of the finals in the win over Australia and won the decisive penalty against Mexico in the last 16.

Costa Rica and Argentina may have stopped him scoring in 120 minutes, but Robben won another penalty against Brazil as the Dutch claimed third place in impressive style. Put simply, he was the World Cup's most consistently decisive player and a worthy recipient of the prize.

BEST YOUNGSTER: PAUL POGBA

France's midfielder Paul Pogba attends a team training session at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 3, 2014, ahead of their match against Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 4. Photo: Getty Images

Fresh from claiming the Golden Ball for best player at France's victorious Under-20 World Cup triumph in 2013, Paul Pogba further established his claim to be the world's best young player with his performances in Brazil.

He was at the heart of an athletic French midfield that devastated Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador in the group stage (though he was on the bench for the clash with Ottmar Hitzfeld's men), and when les Bleus were struggling to find their best form in the last 16 it was Pogba who headed the winner to down Nigeria. It was no surprise to see Fifa recognise Pogba's contribution as they handed him the Best Young Player prize ahead of Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay.

BEST VETERAN: MARIO YEPES

Colombia's defender Mario Yepes celebrates at the end of the Round of 16 football match against Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 28, 2014. Photo: Getty Images

Mario Yepes became the World Cup's oldest outfield player this summer when the 38-year-old captained Colombia to a 3-0 win over Greece in their opening group game, and the veteran proved to be the driving force behind Jose Pekerman's vibrant side. Yepes earned his 100th cap in the win over Cote d'Ivoire and was superb against both Uruguay in the last 16 and Brazil in the quarter-finals, meaning he just edges out Miroslav Klose and Rafael Marquez for our award here.

BEST COACH: JORGE LUIS PINTO

Head coach Jorge Luis Pinto of Costa Rica looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica at Arena Fonte Nova on July 5, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

In many ways, Costa Rica were the biggest success story of the World Cup and their fairytale run to the quarter-finals sees Jorge Luis Pinto edge Joachim Low and Louis van Gaal to our prize for best coach.

The Central Americans were tipped as the whipping boys of Group D but secured two wins and a draw against former world champions Uruguay, Italy and England, before they battled past Greece on penalties with 10 men and took Netherlands all the way to spot-kicks in the last eight. Costa Rica were bold, solid in shape and exciting in attack, and won the hearts of viewers across the world for their efforts - as did their animated and inspirational boss.

BEST GOAL: TIM CAHILL

Bruno Martins Indi of the Netherlands and Tim Cahill of Australia compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Australia and Netherlands at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 18, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

Robin van Persie, James Rodriguez and Lionel Messi all had genuine claims for the tournament's best goal, but Australia star Tim Cahill gets the nod for his stunning volley against Netherlands in the group phase. The New York Red Bulls veteran watched the ball sail from deep over his shoulder before lashing an unstoppable weaker-foot volley in off Jasper Cillessen's crossbar, leaving the Socceroos with a memento to savour from their campaign in Brazil.

BEST GAME: SPAIN 1-5 NETHERLANDS

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas (C) and Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta (2R) congratulate Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben at the end of a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. Photo: Getty Images

The World Cup provided some truly memorable fixtures, but none matched the shock value and all-round entertainment of the reigning champions' opening match. Spain were totally torn apart by the previously-unfancied Netherlands, with Robben and Van Persie tearing la Roja to shreds and leaving the watching world stunned for 90 minutes. Spain never fully recovered before crashing out of the group stage, while the Dutch rode the crest of the wave to achieve third place in the tournament.

BIGGEST FLOP: IKER CASILLAS

Iker Casillas of Spain looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

After lifting the trophy in South Africa four years ago, Iker Casillas had a World Cup he would readily wish to forget this summer. The experienced keeper retained the armband and the No.1 spot despite having been restricted to cup competitions for Real Madrid last season, but his first game ended in ignominy as he flapped at a cross and lost the ball to Van Persie's tackle to gift Netherlands two of their five goals in the 5-1 thrashing. A careless parry from a free kick against Chile cost his side another goal and a place in the knockout phase.